Junior Service League kicks off new year

Junior Service League officers for the coming year are, from left, Laura Marsh, corresponding secretary; Amanda Painter, president; Angie Galyon Kirby, vice president; Chasity O’Quinn, recording secretary; and Lauren Rudd, treasurer.

Christmas has been on the minds of the members of the Junior Service League since July.

But then, Junior Service League members pretty much think about Christmas all year round. Christmas is when the work of the service organization all comes together -- for the membership who worked hard the previous year and for those who are new to the organization. At Christmas, JSL sponsors Toys for Blount County, which annual provides gifts to more than 1,400 Blount County children, ages birth to 14.

Among the projects on the horizon to help raise the approximately $30,000 needed to fulfill the Christmas wishes is Breakfast With Santa, which will be at Royal Oaks Event Center on Dec. 6 this year. JSL has also been working on and planning other service projects as they begin their new year, including Habitat’s Women’s Build.

To get things rolling, JSL sustaining member Maryann Brown opened her home for the organization’s New Member Tea to welcome and train 14 new members for the service organization.

Amanda Painter is president of JSL, a group of approximately 50 active and more than 200 sustaining members.

Junior Service League officers for the coming year are Amanda Painter, president; Angie Galyon Kirby, vice president; Laura Marsh, corresponding secretary; Chasity O’Quinn, recording secretary; and Lauren Rudd, treasurer.

New members welcomed at the tea were:

Sarah Brown

Hometown: Maryville College: University of Mississippi Profession: Team leader at Vanderbilt Mortgage Hobbies: Attempting to work out and train new kitten, Oscar

Sara Oliver

Hometown: Maryville College: UT Knoxville Profession: Stay at home mom Spouse: Chance Children: Grace, 8; Emma, 6; Kennedy, 4 Hobbies: Singing, watching daughters play soccer

Jamey DeBaby Hearon

Hometown: Maryville ollege: East Tennessee State University Profession: Credit analyst at Green Bank Spouse: Matt Hobbies: Exercising, playing with her dog, Lexie; board member at Wildwood Service Dogs

Morgan Allen Lambert

Hometown: Maryville College: UT Knoxville Profession: Nurse practitioner at Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center Spouse: Jason Hobbies: Spending time with friends, family; playing with Ruby, 4-month-old boxer

Shelby B. Jacques

Hometown: Sylva, N.C. College: Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville Profession: Dental hygienist Spouse: Travis Children: Mabry, 5; Ryan, 18 months Hobbies: Bike riding, reading, yard work, stained glass art

Lisa McMahan

Hometown: Holland, Mo. College: Arkansas State University Profession: 1st grade teacher, Maryville City Schools Spouse: Michael Children: Addison, 4 Hobbies: Gardening, couponing and going to the beach

Miranda Talley Reagan

Hometown: Maryville College: Maryville College; masters student at Lincoln Memorial University Profession: 4th grade teacher, Sam Houston Elementary Spouse: Jimmy Hobbies: Reading, traveling, learning

Sarah Overholt

Hometown: Maryville College: Maryville College; masters and Ed.s. at Lincoln Memorial University Profession: teacher Fiancée: Travis Stinnett Hobbies: Tennis, softball, shopping and church

Jamie C. Cordes

Hometown: Guntersville, Ala. College: Auburn University; MSN Carson Newman College Profession: Family nurse practitioner Husband: Benjamin Children: Miles Monroe, 5; Katherine Paige, 3 Hobbies: Anything to do with my children; reading, shopping, church

Amy Habart

Hometown: Maryville College: Belmont University Profession: mom, newspaper columnist Husband: Adam Children: Lilly, 5; Olivia, 4 Hobbies: Shopping, cooking

Ashley Daves

Hometown: Maryville College: UT Knoxville; MSN, Vanderbilt Profession: Nurse practitioner Husband: Adam Hobbies: Running, reading, spending time with friends

Kathy Schrock

Hometown: Brandon, Missouri College: Real Estate Agent for 12 years, stay-at-home mother for 3 years Profession: Student/Mommy Spouse: Eric Schrock Children: Lauren, 3; Hannah 18 months Hobbies: Cooking, spending time with friends and family

Rhonda Smithson

Hometown: Born in Leesburg, Fla., raised in Maryville College: Maryville College; master, UT Knoxville Profession: State Constituent Relations Coordinator for U.S. Sen. Bob Corker Spouse: Jake Children: Hannah, 2; Seth, 1 Hobbies: Outdoor activities and running

Emily Webb

Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. College: Georgia State University; University of North Texas Profession: Photographer, homemaker Husband: David Children: Sam, 10 months Hobbies: Quilting and crafts; reading